Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-12-08
VAR STORIES.
VETERANS RECOUNT THEIR
EXPLOITS.
Fitzpatrick vs. wheeler-The Cayalry
Fight at waynesboro, Ga.-A
Turkey story.

It Is well known that in the march to
che sea the infantry boys saw very few
armed rebels until the neighborhood of
Savannah was reached, and it is equally
we'll known that the cavalry command
under General Fitzpatrick was nearly
every day engaged with Wheeler's Con-
federates. Almost every skirmish took
place 10 our rear, Wheeer's attacks be-
ing so successfully repulsed that the OBJ
jects Of the cavalry campaign were never
seriously interiertd with, although
prompt action on the part OF the Con-
federate authorities prevented the re-
leass OF the prisoners at both Anderson
vile and Millen.
While these were, as set forth in
orders from Gen, Sherman, objects Of
prime importance, the same orders made
the obstruction Of railroad bridges at
Macon and Waynesboro of equal inn
portance; in fact, the latter was to be
accomplished as a prerequisite to the
former.
Up to the 2Sth OF November the cavaI-
~ orders had been in effect Avoid an
engagement waeD possible but they
were then changed to Give Wheeler
all the fight he desiresr Such an order
to such man as Gen. Fitzpatrick was
equivalent to instructions.
TO BREAK WHEELER UP,
and to hunt for him, instead of allow
ing him to hunt for US. At least, Gem
eral Wheeler soon found the difference
between the hunter and the hunted.
Unaware of the changed instructions,
General Wheeler, early on the morning
of December 4th, before daylight in
fact commenced lively shelling of the
camp of General Fitzpatrick; most of the
shells falling in the space allotted to the
Second Brigade under Colonel s. d.
Atkins, 92nd ILL.,, but doing very little
damage. 1t was enough, however, to
fire the impetuous Fitzpatrick, and the
ringing notes of ''boots and saddle''
were so quickly followed by the NOV
ing out of the First Brigade that it
might have been said the only signal was
the pulling of the lanyards Of the rebel
guns. Only waiting for the First Big
ade to clear the road, Col. Atkins COM
mand was formed in column and moved
forward to q rising piece of ground just
beyond which, upon another knoll, was
the rebel line OF battle. The First
Brigade was displayed on the left Of our
line, with instructions to find and, if
possible, turn tha right of the enemy,
while the Second occupied position
nearly opposite the cenier of Wheeler's
line. In the meantime portion Of the
Second Brigade had been detached to
confront Wheeler's left, which was
posted in woody strip across railroad
track from the main command. While
the First Brigade was feeling for the
night Of Wheeler, General Fitzpatrick de-
cided to make an attack in front for
the purpose of distracting attention
from the main point of attack, Accord
ingly the 92d Ill. was dismounted as
skirmishers, and advanced, to find the
enemy posted in strong force in two lines
of battle. The regiment was, after sut<
6clently developing the condition OF
affairs, withdrawn to give room for the
10th Ohio Cav. This regiment made
the charge, mounted, in fine style, but
was repulsed; falling back in good order
to its old position, after succeeding in
compelling the enemy to vaeate his first
line. Promptly the order was given to
the eth Mich Cav. to charge the second
line, although the fog and smoke was
now so dense as to almost totally OBJ.
scure the eneEy's position. The 9th
had remained in column up to this time,
and was depleted by the detail of one
battalion to operate ON the right OF the
railroad, IS before mentioned.
1t was necessary to pass house 20
situated and surrounded by n picket
fence that the column formation was
kept, but as this obstirle was cleared
the companies came into line, battalion
front, and swept with flashing sabers
down the slope aud up the opposite one
in style which Gen, Fitzpatrick pro.
nounced unsurpassed within his knowl-
edge. Holding steadily forward, the
two lines preserved their formation un-
I'll the rebel line was reached. which was
found to be strongly posted behind
rail barrIcades, and Col Acker ordered
the recall. The object Of the charge
had, however, been accomplished
Adjutant Cook was captured, having
penetrated the line in an endeavor to
CAPTURE THE BAFrLErFLAG
, OF the I'd Ga. While this was going
forward the First Brigade had reached
Its objective point. and 80 well We're
matters conducted that the enemy broke
and fled in confusion through Waynes-
horo Fitzpatrick pushed the advantage
thus gained until Wheeler had passed
Driar Creek, the railroad bridge over
which had been burned by our mems
On the morning before this action,
Gen. Kilpatrick's effective strength was
less than 5000, while that Of Wheeler,
as reported by one Of his division COM
manders, was nearly 1900, The disci
pline in the rebel ranks was, however,
very lax, as many Of the men were busi-
ly engaged in plundering in Waynes
boro while the action was in progress
but short distance away.
I do not give the losses, as have nt
official reports readily accessible. Th
writer was told by those who were Il
position to know, that portions OF But
er's and Hampton's commands were un
der Wheeler's orders that day. II
| certain that Gen. Fitzpatrick conid
any time out. general Wheeler, as To
persistent attacks On the latter's front i
The action detailed here completely de
ceiyed the rebel as to the main point 3
, attack w w. Cook, Adjutant 9Th Mic
! Cavalry, Lansing. Mich.